Unless you're finishing up your undergrad years, the days of ordering Rum and Cokes and

Vodka Crans are over. There's better stuff to drink out there, and no excuse not to try it. Besides,
the social value in knowing the most classic of cocktails is immeasurable. Although you don't
need to intimately acquaint yourself with the chemical makeup of each one, you might as well
learn the basics. Such as, the difference between a Manhattan and an Old Fashioned, or the
correct way to serve a Daiquiri or Margarita.

After all, drink trends rise and fade away. There is a time and a place for spiked seltzer (anything
outdoors that involves a patio grill) and low-ABV beer (anytime you're juggling drinking with
physical activity). But at the bar, in the evening hours, a cocktail is in order. Especially if the
draft list is uninspired. Especially if you're looking to flex your newly formed drinking muscles.

To limit the list of cocktails worth knowing to a manageable length, we rounded up the 10 most
popular bar drinks—beer and wine excluded—in 2019, as tallied by Drinks International. Even if
you aren't familiar with them, your bartender will be, so order with confidence and drink happily.

10. Moscow Mule

Russia may be a heated subject right now, but this cocktail is crisp and refreshing, and good for
any season. Plus it (usually) comes in a cool copper mug.

Ingredients
• 2 oz. vodka
• 4-6 oz. ginger beer
• 1/2 oz. lime juice

Directions
Squeeze lime juice into a Moscow Mule mug, then drop in spent shell. Add 2-3 ice cubes and
vodka, then fill with ginger beer.

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9. Aperol Spritz

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The Aperol Spritz gets a bad rap for being bitter and basic. But for daytime drinking, you really
can't beat it. Just ask all the bar patrons crowding the patio around you, Spritzes in hand.

Ingredients
• 1 part prosecco
• 1 part Aperol
• 1 splash club soda
• orange slices
Directions
Fill a wine glass with ice. Add equal parts prosecco and Aperol, and a splash of club soda.
Garnish with fresh orange slices.

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8. Margarita

The Margarita is the workhorse of summer. It's best made with a splash of Cointreau or Grand
Marnier, and if you like it a little sweeter, ask your bartender to add agave syrup.

Ingredients
• 2 oz. silver tequila
• 1 oz. Cointreau
• 1 oz. lime juice
• coarse salt for the rim

Directions
Rub the rim of a chilled cocktail glass with lime juice and dip in coarse salt. Shake tequila,
Cointreau, lime juice, and ice in a mixing glass, then strain into the salted glass over ice.

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7. Espresso Martini

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Coffee and booze in one drink—you really can't complain about that. Just make sure the bar has
fresh espresso on hand before you order it.

Ingredients
• 1 oz. vodka
• 1 oz. coffee liqueur
• 1 oz. freshly brewed espresso
• 1 tsp. simple syrup

Directions
Shake ingredients with ice until chilled, then strain into a martini glass. Garnish with espresso
beans.

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6. Dry Martini
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A classic martini technically should be made with gin, although if your prefer vodka, that's no
sin either. Order it up and stirred, not shaken (sorry 007).

Ingredients
• 4 oz. gin or vodka
• 1 oz. dry vermouth

Directions
Stir vermouth and gin with cracked ice, strain into a chilled cocktail glass, and garnish with an
olive.

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5. Manhattan

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While quality whiskey is important, the key to a great Manhattan is the sweet vermouth. So
always ask for Carpano Antica. Trust us, it will make all the difference.

Ingredients
• 2 oz. rye whiskey
• 1 oz. Carpano Antica sweet vermouth
• 2 dashes Angostura bitters

Directions
Stir ingredients well with cracked ice, then strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with a
twist or maraschino cherry.

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4. Daiquiri

Speaking of summertime cocktails, the Daiquiri is a citrusy marriage of rum and lime (and the
preferred drink of Ernest Hemingway). Strained is preferred.

Ingredients
• 2 oz. white rum
• 1/2 tsp. superfine sugar
• 1/2 oz. lime juice

Directions
Squeeze lime into a shaker, stir in sugar, then add rum. Shake well with cracked ice and strain
into a chilled cocktail glass.

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3. Whiskey Sour

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For those nights when you want to cleanse your palate, opt for a puckery Whiskey Sour. Specify
bourbon for this one.

Ingredients
• 2 oz. bourbon
• 2/3 oz. lemon juice
• 1 tsp. superfine sugar

Directions
Shake ingredients well with cracked ice, strain into a chilled cocktail glass, and garnish with a
lemon wedge.

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2. Negroni

The Negroni is the epitome of summer drinking: sweet, sun-kissed, and refreshing.

Ingredients
• 1 oz. London dry gin
• 1 oz. Campari
• 1 oz. vermouth rosso

Directions
Shake ingredients well with cracked ice. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass—with or without ice,
your call—and garnish with an orange twist.

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1. Old Fashioned
The Old Fashioned is as classic as they come, and perfect for anyone who likes their whiskey
drinks on the sweeter side. Rye will make it spicier.

Ingredients
• 2 oz. bourbon or rye whiskey
• 3 dashes Angostura bitters
• 1 sugar cube (or 1/2 tsp. loose sugar)
• club soda

Directions
Place sugar in an Old Fashioned glass. Wet it down with Angostura bitters and a splash of club
soda, then muddle. Add a large ice cube and whiskey. Stir, then garnish with an orange twist.

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